SLIDE 1
McDermott Will & Emery has one of the largest and most diversified state and local tax (SALT) legal practices in the United States. Our lawyers possess an in-depth knowledge of the constantly changing tax laws, as well as the experience and judgment necessary to provide advice and advocacy of the highest caliber to our clients. The members of the group are nationally recognized as experts and, as such, are consistently sought as speakers at seminars and conferences conducted by numerous tax and business organizations throughout the country. Experience Initially launched as a tax law firm in 1934, McDermott brings a wealth of history and experience to the tax arena (our lawyers, for example, successfully litigated the only two Supreme Court victories in the “unitary” area as well as the landmark Quill case in the sales tax area). Our team is especially skilled in the myriad state and local tax issues generated by the ever-growing internet and e-commerce segment of the world’s economy. We focus on identifying and developing solutions for our clients’ particular tax concerns regardless of the jurisdiction, issue or procedural stage involved, and work closely with colleagues across the Firm to provide seamless service. We are also able to draw upon our many state contacts to assist clients effectively and efficiently.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
- Business license tax
- Commercial rent and occupancy tax
- Corporate income tax
- Document and stamp tax
- Economic development incentives
- Employment withholding tax
- Franchise tax
- Fuel use tax
- Highway use tax
- Hotel occupancy tax
- Intangible personal property tax
- Liquor tax
- Mortgage recording tax
- Personal income tax
- Real estate transfer tax
- Sales and use tax
- Telecommunications tax
- Tobacco tax
McDermott’s State and Local Tax Capabilities
Planning & Transactions Our SALT practice provides planning services related to existing business relationships and practices (structural planning) as well as to specific pending transactions (transactional planning). Working with the client’s staff, our lawyers determine where proactive changes can be made to improve the client’s state and local tax situation. One set of tax costs that is often overlooked when planning transactions is the imposition of state and local taxes (such as sales and real estate transfer taxes) on the transaction. Our lawyers not only assist clients in avoiding these hidden pitfalls, but also help them achieve greater tax efficiency in their post-transaction operations. Legislative Initiatives & Lobbying Although traditional legal avenues such as planning, settlement and litigation are often the best courses of action to achieve the desired results for our clients, in some instances these are either unavailable or foreclosed under existing laws or regulations. In those instances, we offer legislative and lobbying initiatives to help achieve the desired results. Our services include monitoring specific issues and legislative initiatives, building consensus with other interested parties, preparing proposals, drafting legislation and communicating proposals to the legislative decision-makers.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- Named 2016 “Tax Law Firm of the Year” by U.S. News & Best Lawyers
- Nationally ranked in Chambers USA 2016 in Tax Controversy and Tax (Corporate and Finance)
- Named “Tax Practice Group of the Year” by Law360 (2015)
- McDermott received top tier rankings in Tax: Financial Products, Tax: International Tax and Tax: